Enclosure gate assembly

ABSTRACT

An enclosure gate assembly includes an extended surface flexible sheet material having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a columnar member having spaced apart ends and a longitudinal axis extending between the spaced apart ends, fastening means for attaching the trailing edge of the sheet material to the columnar member along the longitudinal axis thereof, a housing for enclosing and mounting the columnar member for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the columnar member, the housing including an elongate opening to allow serial travel of the sheet material therethrough, a spring mounted to the columnar member to normally maintain the sheet material rolled on the columnar member within the housing, and mounting means for positioning the longitudinal axis of the housing normal to a supporting surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/181,135 filed May 26, 2009, hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to gates and more particularly to a gatestructure which may be used as a barrier for permitting egress andingress to an area or alternatively may be coupled to similar gates toform a continuous boundary of a given area.

2. Prior Art

The prior art is replete with structures useful in establishing barriersfor use in combination with one another for crowd control and forforming a temporary enclosure for containing individuals whether they bepeople or animals, for example. Those structures have been found togenerally achieve desired objectives. Nevertheless the structures aretypically heavy, relatively difficult to store and quickly move fromstorage to the location of use, and are expensive to manufacture andmaintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an attempt to overcome some of the disadvantages of the previouslyknown structure, it has surprisingly been discovered that the presentinvention satisfactorily overcomes the disadvantages of the prior artand produces a barrier, a gate to enable selective egress or ingress, oran enclosure typically useful for containing animals, for example.

Successful objectives are typically achieved by an enclosure gateassembly incorporating the features of the invention and comprising anextended surface flexible sheet material having a leading edge and atrailing edge; a columnar member having a longitudinal axis; means forattaching the trailing edge of the sheet material to the columnar memberalong the longitudinal axis thereof; a housing for enclosing andmounting the columnar member for revolution about the longitudinal axis,the housing including an elongate opening to allow serial travel of thesheet material therethrough; a spring mounted to the columnar membernormally retaining the sheet material rolled on the columnar memberwithin the housing; mounting means for positioning the longitudinal axisof the columnar member in the housing normal to a supporting surface;and means mounted on the housing for selectively holding the leadingedge of the sheet materials of adjacent assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objectives, as well as others, invention will become readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following detaileddescription of an embodiment of the invention when considered in thelight of the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an enclosure formed of a series ofserially connected enclosure gate assemblies according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the enclosure gateassemblies illustrated in FIG. 1 with a portion of the housing cut-awayto more clearly disclose the structure; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view with a portion cut-away to moreclearly illustrate the interlock mechanism for coupling the leading edgeof the sheet material of one of the enclosure gate assemblies with anadjacent enclosure gate assembly as illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an enclosure gate assemblyincorporating the features of the invention. It will be understood thatthe illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 shows a series of enclosure gateassemblies serially arranged to form an enclosure which may be used forholding a number of animals, for example. The enclosure may be easilyand quickly assembled without requiring skilled assemblers of mechanics;or the need for specially designed tools. The enclosure may bemaintained on a substantially permanent basis; or may be temporary. Inthe latter case, the assembly may be readily disassembled by uncouplingthe leading edge of the sheet material of each of the individualassemblies from the associated couplings of the next adjacentassemblies. The disassembled assemblies may then be returned to theappropriate storage area.

The enclosure gate assemblies may also be used as crowd controlbarriers; fencing for various uses including the protection ofconstruction sites, traffic control, restrict unauthorized personnel toareas of danger, and the like.

The enclosure gate assembly of the invention is generally indicated byreference numeral 10 on the drawings. The assembly 10 includes anoutward elongate housing 12 having a hollow interior and an upper end 16and a lower end 18. A columnar member 14 having a longitudinal axis ismounted within the hollow interior of the housing 12 and extends betweenthe upper end 16 and the lower end 18. A length of flexible sheetmaterial or webbing 20 includes a leading edge 22 and a trailing edge24. The trailing edge 24 of the sheet material is secured or fastened tothe columnar member 14. While the gate enclosure assembly 10 is innon-use or in storage, the sheet material 20 is wound upon the columnarmember 14.

The upper end 16 of the housing 12 is typically enclosed by a separableclosure cap 26. The cap 26 may be attached to the upper end 16 of thehousing 12 by any well known attachment means, such as threadedfasteners, adhesive, webbing or the like. The determination of theparticular type of fastener to be employed is dependent upon the type ofmaterial used to fabricate the housing 12 and the associated cap 26.

A spiral spring 28 is coupled between the housing 12 and the columnarmember 14. The function of the spring 28 is to normally maintain thesheet material 20 in a rolled-up condition on the columnar member 14.When the assembly 10 is assembled in a position of use, the sheetmaterial 20 is caused to be payed off from the columnar member 14against the tension of the spring 28.

A support pad 30 is mounted at the lower end of the housing 12. Thesupport pad 30 is normally attached to the lower end 18 of the housing12. While the pad 30 may be permanently affixed to the housing 12, thereare many advantages in mounting the pad 30 by removable fasteners, notshown, to reduce the overall profile for storage of the assembly 10. Itwill be understood that the primary purpose of the pad 30 is to assureproper disposition of the housing 12 during periods of use. Normally, inuse, the housing 12 should be disposed in an upright position with thelongitudinal axis of the housing being substantially perpendicular ornormal to the supporting surface.

The pad 30 may include an anchor 32 capable of penetrating the soil orground when such is a supporting surface.

A locking mechanism is employed to lock the sheet material when it isextended, as illustrated in the attached drawings. The illustratedembodiment of an effective locking mechanism includes an array offlanges 34, each provided with an opening therethrough and mounted in anupstanding relation in respect of the upper surface of the cap 26. Theflanges 34 are arranged to surround the aperture in the closure cap 26which receives the upper end of the columnar member 14. The upper end ofthe columnar member 14 is provided with a hole extending therethrough.When the opening of at least one of the flanges 34 and the hole in theupper end of the columnar member 14 are aligned, a locking pin 36 may beinserted to lock the columnar member 14 against any relative rotationalmovement between the columnar member 14 and the housing 12.

When it is desired to attach one enclosure gate assembly 10 to anotheradjacent assembly 10′, the assemblies are suitably mounted on asupporting surface and spaced apart the desired amount. Next, theleading edge 22 of the sheet material 20 is grasped and pulled to effecta pay-off of the sheet material from its associated columnar member 14against the bias of the spring 28. It will be noted that the leadingedge 22 is provided with a rod-like reinforcement 38. To facilitate thegrasping of the rod-like reinforcement 38, an opening 40 is provided inthe sheet material 20.

When it is desired to form an enclosure formed of a plurality of theassemblies 10, the assemblies 10 may be arranged as illustrated inFIG. 1. The individual assemblies 10 are disposed in an uprightposition. The leading edge 22 of the sheet material 20 is grasped andpulled out serially through the elongated slot S (FIG. 2) formed in thehousing 12. Upon reaching the desired extension of the sheet material20, the reinforcement 38 is connected to the bracket 42′ attached to thenext adjacent assembly 10′. This procedure is duplicated until thecompleted configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1, is accomplished. As anon-limiting example, the bracket 42′ is substantially C-shaped in crosssection. However, other coupling means can be used such as a springclip, for example.

Other uses are contemplated including the use of an assembly 10 as aretractable gate. In such use, the housing 10 is placed at one side ofthe opening in a fence-line, for example, and the leading edge 22 isextended and coupled to a suitable bracket on the fence post definingthe other side of the opening.

Another contemplated use of the enclosure gate assembly 10 is that of abarrier for crowd control. This use can readily be accomplished by usingtwo or more of the assemblies 10 in spaced relation.

The sheet material 20 may be formed of a member of different flexiblematerials such as reinforced polyvinyl chloride sheeting, woven webbingmaterial, or the like.

While the material used to fabricate the housing 12 is not deemed to becritical, satisfactory results may be realized by utilizing sheet metalor plastic materials, for example.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art caneasily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and,without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make variouschanges and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usagesand conditions.

1. An enclosure gate assembly comprising: an extended surface flexiblesheet material having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a columnarmember having spaced apart ends and a longitudinal axis extendingbetween the spaced apart ends; fastening means for attaching thetrailing edge of the sheet material to the columnar member along thelongitudinal axis thereof; a housing for enclosing and mounting thecolumnar member for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the columnarmember, the housing including an elongate opening to allow serial travelof the sheet material therethrough; a spring mounted to the columnarmember to normally maintain the sheet material rolled on the columnarmember within the housing; and mounting means for positioning thelongitudinal axis of the housing normal to a supporting surface.
 2. Anenclosure gate assembly comprising: an extended surface flexible sheetmaterial having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a columnar memberhaving spaced apart ends and a longitudinal axis extending between thespaced apart ends; fastening means for attaching the trailing edge ofthe sheet material to the columnar member along the longitudinal axisthereof; a housing for enclosing and mounting the columnar member forrotation about the longitudinal axis of the columnar member, the housingincluding an elongate opening to allow serial travel of the sheetmaterial therethrough; a spring mounted to the columnar member tonormally maintain the sheet material rolled on the columnar memberwithin the housing; mounting means for positioning the longitudinal axisof the housing normal to a supporting surface; and means mounted on thehousing for selectively holding the leading edge of the sheet materialof an adjacent assembly.
 3. An enclosure gate assembly as defined inclaim 2 wherein the housing includes an upper end and a spaced apartlower end.
 4. An enclosure gate assembly as defined in claim 3 whereinthe upper end includes a separable closure cap.
 5. An enclosure gateassembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the spring is a spiral spring. 6.An enclosure gate assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the leadingedge of the sheet material contains a reinforcement.
 7. An enclosuregate assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the reinforcement includes arod formed of substantially rigid material.
 8. An enclosure gateassembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for selectively holdingthe leading edge of the sheet metal of an adjacent gate assemblyincludes a bracket.
 9. An enclosure gate assembly as defined in claim 8wherein the bracket is substantially C-shaped in cross section.
 10. Anenclosure gate assembly as defined in claim 2 including a groundengaging pad for maintaining the housing in an upstanding position. 11.An enclosure gate assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the pad isfastened to the housing.
 12. An enclosure gate assembly as defined inclaim 3 including a base fastened to the lower end of the housing. 13.An enclosure gate assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein the base isfastened to the lower end of the housing by threaded fasteners.
 14. Anenclosure gate assembly as defined in claim 12 including an anchor forpenetrating the supporting surface to assist in maintaining the housingin an upright position.
 15. An enclosure gate assembly as defined inclaim 2 including a lock to prevent rotation of the columnar memberabout the longitudinal axis thereof.
 16. An enclosure gate assembly asdefined in claim 3 wherein one end of the columnar member extendsthrough an aperture formed in the upper end of the housing.
 17. Anenclosure gate assembly as defined in claim 16 including at least onestationary flange attached to the upper end of the housing, an openingin the flange, a hole formed in the one end of columnar member, andalignable with the opening in the flange, and a locking pin forinsertion in the opening of the flange and the hole in the columnarmember when the opening and the hole are aligned.
 18. An enclosure gateassembly comprising: a housing having an elongate opening extendingalong a longitudinal axis thereof; a shaft having a longitudinal axisdisposed in the housing and rotatable about the longitudinal axisthereof; a flexible webbing having a leading edge and a trailing edge,the trailing edge coupled to the shaft; a spring coupled between thehousing and the shaft and normally retaining the webbing the shaft in arolled condition; an anchor coupled to the housing for mounting thehousing in a generally upright position; and a coupler disposed on thehousing for selectively engaging a leading edge of a webbing of anotherof the enclosure gate assembly.